Friction shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft riggings



Sept; 13, 1949.

Filed Oct. 23, 1947 FRICTION SHOC G. K A

RAILWAY E. DATH 2,481,575 BSORBING MECHANISM FOR DRAFT RIGGINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnven/far:

gegr ge EDA/h Se t. 13, 1949. e. E. DATH 2,481,575

FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY DRAFT RIGGINGS Filed Oct. 23 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ina e n i orr aeg ge ZTfla-HL Patented Sept. 13, 1949 FRICTION FOR George E. Dath, Mokena,

Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill.,

ware l SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM RAILWAY DRAFT racemes 111., assignor to W. H. a corporation of Dela- Application October 23, 1947, Serial No. 781,717

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanism especially adapted for railway draft riggings.

One object of the invention is to provide a friction'shock absorbing mechanism, comprising end follower members relatively movable toward and away from each other lengthwise of the mechanism, transversely separable spring resisted side wedges, and wedge means cooperating with said side wedges for forcing the same apart against the resistance of the spring means through relative movement of the followers toward each other, wherein the side wedges have sliding frictional engagement with the wedge means and end follower members to provide high frictional resistance.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a friction shock absorbing mechanism, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, additional means for cushioning the shocks to which the mechanismis subjected in the form of rubber mats or pads cooperating with the' end followers.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a longitudinal, horizontal sectional view through the underframe structure of a railway car, illustrating my improved shock absorbing mechanism in connection therewith. Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the yoke and draft sills omitted. Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 3-4 of Figure 1. Figures 4, 5, and 6 are elevational views, respectively, of one of the side wedges and the wedge blocks of my improved mechanism, Figure 4 showing the left hand side wedge illustrated in Figure 1, looking upwardly in said figure, Figure 5 showing the wedge block at the upper side in Figure 1, looking downwardly in said figure, andFigure 6 showing the wedge block at the lower side of Figure 1, looking up wardly in said figure. Figure '7 is an elevational view of the rubber cushioning element at the left hand side of Figure 3, looking toward the left in said figure.

'In said drawings, III-40 denote the center or draft sills of a railway car underframe to the which are secured inner and outer stop lugs llll and l2--l2. The outer-end portion of the usual drawbar is indicated by l3, the same being operatively connected to my improved friction shock absorbing mechanism by a yoke ll of well-known design.

As illustrated in the drawings, my improved inner sides of 6 Claims. (01. 213-22) shock absorbing mechanism proper comprises broadly inner and outer end casings A and B, inner and outer followers C and D, inner and outer rubber cushioning elements E and F, side wedges G and H in frictional engagement with the followers, a pair of wedge blocks J and K in wedging engagement with the side wedges, a guide rod or bolt L, and side springs M and N.

The inner and outer end casings A and B are of similar design, each casing being in the form of a boxiike member open at its inner side and having vertically spaced, horizontal top and bottom walls 15 and I6, laterally spaced, vertical side walls 11-", and a vertical transverse end wall II. The end walls l8-ll of the casings A and B are engageable with the lugs H-H and l2-l2, respectively, the casings A and B thus cooperating with these stop lugs in the manner of the usual end followers. The side walls 11-" are shorter than the top and bottom walls I! and IS, the casings thus presenting top and bottom guide flanges 'l9-l9 and |9-l9 at the open inner ends thereof.

The followers C and D are in the form of heavy, rectangular plates. These plates are of a size to slidingly fit within the casings A and B, the follower C being slidingly mounted in the casing A and the follower D being slidingly mounted in the casing B.

The rubber cushioning elements E and F are arranged within the casings A and B, respectively, the unit E being interposed between the end .wall I! of the casing A and the follower C, and the unit F being interposed between the end wall It of the casing B and the follower cushioning units E and F comprises a central metal backing plate 20 and rubber pads 2|--2| at opposite sides of theplate vulcanized thereto. Each pad 21 is preferably made up of a central elongated block having rounded ends, a continuous band in the form of an oval loop surrounding the block and a second continuous band in the form of a loop surrounding the first named band. The pads 2 l-2l of each cushioning element bear respectively on the wall l8 and the follower. of the corresponding casing and yieldingly resist relative approach of the follower and casing.

The supporting rod or bolt L is in the form of an elongated bar of circular cross section, threaded at opposite ends. This rod or bolt L is arranged transversely of the mechanism between the inner ends of the casings A and B and has its opposite ends extending outwardly beyond the sills llll0.

The wedge blocks J and K are supported on the D. Each of the bolt or rod L at a point substantially midway between the oppositeends of the latter, the blocks bein provided with transverse bores 22-22 to accommodate the bolt. The blocks J and K have contact with each other on their inner sides on diagonal fiat faces 23-23. At the outer side thereof, each block presents a vertically extending, transversely inclined, flat wedge face24, the wedge faces 24-24 of the two blocks facing in opposite directions, the face 24 of the block J being to the right, and that of the block K being to the left of the bolt L, as seen in Figure 1.

The side wedges G and H are of similar design, but reversely arranged end for end. Each side wedge comprises a vertically disposed, transversely extending, platelike section 25, and laterally projecting, top and bottom flanges or walls 26-26 extending from the section 25. Each side wedge thus presents a structure of channel outer side of the platelike section 25 of each side wedge presents a transversely extending, fiat friction surface 21, which has slidwith the corresponding follower 28 presents a laterally inclined wedge face 29 at its inner side.

As shown in Figure 1, the side wedges G and H are disposed at opposite sides J and K and are slidable transversely of the the side Wedge G being at the left hand side of the blocks J and K, as seen in said figure, with the plate section 25 thereof in sliding engagement with the follower C and with the wedge face 29 thereof engaged with the wedge face 24 of the block J, and the side wedge H being at the right hand side of the wedge blocks J and K with the plate section 25 thereof in sliding engagement with the follower D, and with the wedge face 29 of the same engaged with the wedge face 24 of the block K. At the inner sides of the side wedges G and H, the top and bottom walls or flanges 26-26 are cut away On diagonal lines, as shown, to provide clearance for displacement of the side wedges toward each other in direction lengthwise of the mechanism.

The wedge projections 28-28 of the side wedges G and H are provided with extended lug portions 30-30, which are continuous with the wedge projections and, together with the latter, form end walls of said side wedges. The lugs 30-30 are slotted, as indicated at 3i-3l, to accommodate the bolt or rod L, which extends therethrough. The lugs 30-30 of the side wedges G and H directly overhang the outer ends of the wedge blocks J and K and, in the normal full release position of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, bear on these blocks.

The springs M and N, which are in the form heavy helical coils, are carried on opposite ends of the bar or rod L, outwardly of the side sills l-i0 of the car. The springs M and N surround the bar L and are held in position on the rod by fixed follower plates in the form of nuts 32-32 threaded on the outer ends of the bar or rod. A movable follower disc 33, which is slidable on the rod L, is interposed between the inner end of each spring and the corresponding side wedge. Each disc 33 is preferably formed 4 with a. cylindrical bosslike collar 34 on its inner side, which surrounds the bar L and extends through the slot 35 of the corresponding sill l0 into bearing engagement with the side wedge at the corresponding side of the mechanism.

In the operation of my improved mechanism, the parts are compressed between the casings A and B, the casing A being pulled toward the right by the yoke l4 in draft, as viewed in Figure 1, toward the casing B, which is held stationary by the outer stops l2-i2, and the casing B being forced inwardly toward the left by the drawbar l3 in buff, toward the casing A, which is held stationary by the inner stop lugs li-i l.

the wedge blocks J and K.

I claim:

1. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the comnation with a pair of follower plates relatively movable toward each other lengthwise of the mechanism; of a central, transversely extending guide bar between said follower plates;

on said guide bar and held thereby against movementwith respect thereto in a direction lengthwise of the mechanism, said wedge blocks being embraced between the wedge faces of said combined members and having wedge faces in sliding wedging engagement with the faces of said combined members; springs at opposite sides of the mechanism supported on said guide bar, each of said springs hearing at one end on the correspending combined member; and fired spring aioutments on the outer ends of said guide bar bearing on the outer ends of said springs.

3. in a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a pair of shock absorbing units at. opposite ends of the mechanism movable lengthwise oi the mechanism toward and away from each other, each unit including an outer x'ollower interposed rubber cushioning element yieldingly resisting relative approach oi said inner and outer followers, said inner followers of said pair of said shock absorbing units having friction surfaces on their inner sides extending transversely oi the mechanism; of a pair of laterally separable side wedges, each side wedge having a laterally inwerdly extending friction post rigid therewith, said friction posts of the side wedges of said pair having sliding engagement respectively with the iriction surfaces of said inner iollowers; a'centrai wedge means between said side wedges, one or said side wedges having a wedge portion at one side of the mechanism overhanging said wedge oceans, and the other of said side wedges having a wedge portion at the other side or the mechanism overhanging said wedge means, said wedge portions or said side wedges being in wedging engagement with said wedge means; and snrings at opposite sides or the mechanism yieldingly ongosing lateral outward movement or said side wedges away from each other.

in a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a pair or follower casings spoo I site ends of the mechanism closed at their outer ends and open at their inner ends, said. casings being relatively movable toward and from each other lengthwise oi the mechanism; oil a iol lower plate at the open end or each casing; a ruhber cushioning unit within each casing hear ing at opposite ends on said closed end or the can and the corresponding follower plate, respective ly; laterally separ ole side wedges having sliding frictional engagement with the ioilower nlates, respectively; a central wedge means between said side wedges, said side wedges and wedge means having cooperating wedge laces ior wedging said side wedges laterally apart upon relative an preach of said side wedges lemthwise oi? the mechanism; and springs at opposite sides oi the mechanism yieldingly opposing lateral separation Y of said side wedges.

5. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the corn blnation with a pair of follower casings at cope-=- site ends or the mechanism movable toward and movable toward each other, and on Y till) lengthwise of the mechanism, each of said casings being closed by a transverse wall at its outer end; of a cushioning unit within each casing hearing at its outer end on the transverse wall thereof; a transverselydisposed follower plate bearing on the inner end of each cushioning unit, said plates being relatively movable toward and away from each other lengthwise oi the mechanism, said iollower plates having transversely extending friction surfaces on the inner sides thereof; laterally separable side wedges, each or said side wedges having a. leterally inwardly extending friction post rigid therewith in sliding engagement with the friction surface of one of said followers; central wedge means in wedglng engagement with said side wedges to force thesame laterally apart; and spring means at opposite sides of the mechanism away from each other yieldingly opposing lateral separation of said side wedges.

6. in a shock absorbing mechanism, the com= bination with lollower casings at opposite ends of the mechanism movable toward and away irom each other lengthwise oi the mechanism, each casing being open at its inner end and closed at its outer end; of a cushioning unit within each casing hearing at its outer end on the closed end of said casing; a transversely disposed follower plate bearing on the inner end or each cushioning unit, said plates being relatively movable toward and away from each other lengthwise of the mechanism; a central, transversely extending guide loan between said follower plates; e. con tral wedge means carried by said guide bar and held against movement with respect to the same in direction lengthwise oi the mechanism, said wedge means extending lengthwise of said bar and having wedge faces at opposite ends; (30ilil= billed wedge and irict-ion members s ldable on said her, said combined members having wedge faces overhanging and engaging with the wedge faces of said wedge means, said combined wedge and friction members having sliding frictional engagemerit laterally of the mechanism on the or sides oi said follower plates, respectively; and springs at opposite sides oi the mechanism supported on said guide bar and yieldingly c oosing lateral separation of said combined side wedge and friction members.

GEQRGE E. DA

STATES i11 Date Aug. 3, i983 Number Name SPTOUJ ...e

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